Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy should recognise the substantial work being carried out in respect of developing the Children First legislation. We want to make sure we have robust and substantial legislation. There is a range of issues I have outlined to the Deputy. I gave him a detailed response with regard to the range of issues that arose. I made the decision after I made some of those comments with reference to the relevant committee. The Deputy knows there was a 600-page report from the committee. The substantial issues in that report must be addressed and a range of work has been done.

What is very important is how the Children First guidelines are being implemented. Clearly, if somebody believes a child is at risk of abuse, that situation should be reported under the Children First guidelines and the practice handbook that has been published, to which I have already referred. If anybody knows that a child is at risk, that should be reported.

We have made a decision to bring in Children First legislation. Unlike previous promises made in respect of Children First, I have done the work and brought the memorandums to Government. A second memorandum is about to go to Government. I have brought in the experts to examine this issue and this Government has given a commitment to bring in the legislation.

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